The Lemon Index
200920111st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
27 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Honda Civic 442010 Toyota Corolla 1992010 Hyundai Elantra 58
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2010 Dodge Caliber
- Engine stalling26 complaintsmostly at 41,000–68,000 miles (66,000–109,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion21 complaintsmostly at 78,000–132,000 miles (126,000–212,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm9 complaintsmostly at 59,000–132,000 miles (95,000–212,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Dodge Caliber (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 51,000 miles (19,000–82,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V668000 (seat belts) and 10V197000 (latches/locks/linkages) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Dodge sent dealers 44 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Fuel gauge fluctuation”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 27 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 51K miles (19K to 82K km) on the car (22 of all 27 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While turning at low speed car accelerated uncontrollably. Air bags did not deploy in frontal crash. Car caught fire.
2010 Dodge Caliber owner · NHTSA complaint 10382907
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 44 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Fuel gauge fluctuation
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 DODGE CALIBER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,600 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Dodge Caliber year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-caliber/?y=2010" title="Dodge Caliber reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-caliber/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Dodge Caliber reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Dodge Caliber reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2010 Dodge Caliber problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (30%), airbags (15%) and speed control (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Caliber have?
2 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Dodge Caliber get?
23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Caliber problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 12,000 and 51,000 miles (19,000–82,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 27 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2010 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2010 Dodge Caliber have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 Dodge Caliber cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Dodge Caliber have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Caliber year than the 2010?
Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Caliber years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works